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Tree removal on hold in Cloverdale
CLOVERDALE — An issue that was brought up last month, the removal of trees on North Main Street in Cloverdale will be waiting.
While understanding that they have caused significant damage to the adjacent sidewalks, the Cloverdale Town Council expressed a want for more quotes on the project at its regular meeting last Tuesday.
Acting on a request from the council, Town Manager Jason Hartman brought a quote from Mayhew Contracting to remove seven trees and their stumps. Mayhew also provided a quote to replace the damaged sidewalks.
“As a result of the roots underneath it and pushing it up, the sidewalk’s just gonna have to be taken out and repoured,” Hartman said, acknowledging the trees being attractive but a problem, nonetheless.
Hartman added that slab jacking would be a “substantially cheaper” alternative, in which slurry is poured under the sidewalk to level it out. However, he said it depends on how much progress could be made in short order.
“If we do decide to go that route, I would like to start on North Main,” Hartman said as to other areas needing attention.
As to Mayhew’s quote, Council Vice President Brice Howell expressed concern about it being the only quote presented. Hartman provided that the work could be bid out.
“It seems like every time we do this, the same result happens,” Hartman said as to suggesting a trend of receiving a single quote on projects.
“I get your point, we’ve went over and over with this,” Howell responded about getting the work done even so. “But if we just automatically accept the first bid we got, I don’t think we’re doing a service to the town.”
Ultimately, the council voted to table the issue and for Hartman to pursue additional quotes on the tree removal, as well as the slab jacking.
In other business:
• The council approved purchasing a new tazer with cartridges, as well as a new handheld radio, for the Cloverdale Police Department. While exact amounts were not stated, Clerk-Treasurer Kelly Maners said they would be covered by money for operating supplies.
Town Marshal Adam Hull noted that the department’s current tazers will be obsolete and replaced one or two at a time over the next few years. The radio, meanwhile, was meant to replace another that will become a backup for a reserve officer.
• The council conducted second readings of and approved ordinances 2023-8, 2023-10 and 2023-12. These ordinances pertained to ongoing proceedings with water improvement projects in multiple areas.
• The council passed resolutions 2023-17, 2023-18, 2023-19 and 2023-20.
The first concerned making a transfer from the town’s water meter deposit, while the latter addressed utility write-offs. Meanwhile, Resolution 2023-18 reaffirmed the town’s voting districts and Resolution 2023-19 on an amended economic development area (EDA).
• The council accepted a quote from United Construction Services to contract repair work to the Cloverdale Town Hall parking lot. The council took the lead from Howell, with the quote roughly $500 more than another from HWC Engineering.
“I know United’s just a little bit more money,” Howell said, with the council members voting “Aye” one by one. “I personally have not been impressed with HWC the last couple jobs that we’ve done.”
• Brandon Tancak and the council made multiple appointments to town boards, as terms are set to expire at the end of the year.
On the town’s park board, the council reappointed Kenny Flinchum. On the town’s zoning board, Tancak affirmed Barb Jay for another term. On the town’s planning commission, Concilman Greg Jay was reappointed by the council. With the redevelopment authority, David Fishe and John Bailey affirmed serving new terms by Tancak’s appointment. On the redevelopment commission, Fishe, Brian Maners, Councilman Larry Fidler and Scott Wahl were affirmed by Tancak and the council, while Howell stepped up to replace Scott Bailey. Finally, Kathy Morgan and Howell were tapped to represent the town at the Putnam County Visitors Bureau.
• The council accepted a bid from White Oak Farms for $987 on seven acres of tillable farm ground which the town rents out. The bid was the only one received.
• The council approved an addendum to the town’s contract with Boyce software, which is used to manage its accounting. Instead of being approved every year, the contract will auto-renew for five years.
Speaking to not knowing the exact cost, Howell motioned for the contract to be approved pending the council’s review, as well as determining how it could be terminated.
Town Attorney Richard Shagley joined Hartman, Maners, Hull and the whole council for the meeting.
The next regular meeting of the Cloverdale Town Council is set for Tuesday, Dec. 12 10 at 7 p.m. at the town hall.